Wounds of Afghanistan: A Story of Inspiring Resilience

The war in Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom – has become the longest war in our nation’s history. In 13 years of battle, over 2,300 service members have died and the increased use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has resulted in devastating injuries. Though major medical advances have made it possible to save lives that would have previously been lost, these injured service members and veterans must now learn to live with their severe wounds of war.

John Peck enlisted on Sept. 11, 2005 and rose to the rank of Marine Sergeant. He served in Iraq and later in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, and on a 2010 mission while leading a sweep for IEDs, one exploded underneath his feet. Sergeant Peck woke up two months later at National Naval Medical Center after 29 surgeries and 43 pints of blood, as a quadruple amputee.

John’s resolve, and the help of those committed to serving our wounded defenders, paves the way for his new normal. John now lives in a custom adaptive “smart home,” built for him by the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. Program in partnership with Building for America's Bravest, and is learning to drive his specially adapted truck, provided by the Semper Fi Fund.

Learn more about co-host
Gary Sinise’s efforts on behalf of wounded warriors and our nation’s defenders.